Joseph S. Beard, age 87, resident of 22526 Lakeview Drive, Cambridge Springs, PA died Monday, January 7, 2013 at Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA. Born in Glen Ridge, NJ on September 29, 1925, Joseph was a son of the late Emerson M. Beard and Viola Schultz Beard.
Joseph served in the US Navy Amphibious Force, Beach Battalion during World war ll in the Pacific Theater of Operation as a Hospital Corpsman 1st Class. Returning to the United States, Joseph received training for officers by attending the following educational institutes – Princeton University, Bates College, Dartmouth College, and Penn State University. He obtained a commission as an Ensign USNR at the completion of his course. After the war, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University in 1949 and a Master of Science Degree in Agronomy in 1950. While working on his advanced degree, he was an agronomy lab instructor. After graduation, he worked as a soil scientist for 6 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service which covered 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania. For almost 20 years, he operated County Line Farms north of Cambridge Springs as a dairy farmer. In 1966, he was hired by Penn State University to work as County Agent for Crawford County. In December 1989, he retired from the extension and worked as a consultant for Brubaker Agronomics Services of Ephrata, PA. He did this for five years serving farmers in Crawford County.
Joseph was a life alumnus of Penn State University, the State and National Association of Agricultural Agents, and Epsilon Sigma Phi. In addition, he was a member of the Erie Sons of the American Revolution; Cambridge Springs Rotary Club; PA Corn Growers Association; PA Forage and Grassland Council; National Dairy Shrine; Crawford County Agriculture Hall of Fame; and Hayfield Grange. He received the distinguished service Award from the National Association of County Agents. He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Drakes Mills. He served for many years on the Cambridge Springs Zoning Hearing Board and did volunteer income tax assistance at the Meadville Community Center for 14 years under AARP.
Joseph enjoyed family activities, wood working, gardening, traveling, and working on genealogy.
Survivors include his wife, the former Barbara Porter, whom he married July 13, 2003; a daughter – Karin Fischer and her husband, Del of Cambridge Springs; a granddaughter – Brita Rizzo and her husband, Mark; a great grandson -Carter Rizzo all of Ocoee, FL; a sister -Betsy Lundy of Long Meadow, MA; a son-in-law – James Flick and his wife, Cindy and their children – Blake and Haley; and a daughter-in-law -Carrie Erickson of Aurora, CO. He was preceded in death by his first wife – Brigitte U. Beard on May 25, 1999; two brothers -Dr. William J. Beard and Emerson M. Beard, Jr. and his wife, Margaret; a sister-in-law – Karin Howard; and a brother-in-law – Kenneth Howard.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 and are invited to attend funeral services at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Drakes Mills on Friday morning at 11:00. Reverend Brian Riddle pastor the Church will officiate. Burial will be in Cambridge Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorials be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 25812 Mt. Pleasant Road, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403; American Cancer Society, Crawford Unit, 464 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335-2975; American Heart Association, 823 Filmore, Erie, PA 16505; or the Cambridge Springs Public Library, 158 McClellan St., Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.
I am sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. My prayers are for him and hope you are well in this time of pain. Russ
I am a retired Extension Agent who had tthe good fortune to work with Joe from time to time over the years. I was saddened this morning to read of his passing. I want to extend my sympathy to his family and friends. I’m sure he will be missed
I was privileged to have Joe as my neighbor when I lived in Pleasant Hills. Joe had an engaging smile and always had time to stop and talk whenever he saw me. One of the most memorable images I have of Joe is that of him riding his big John Deere tractor as he mowed his large back lawn. Joe always had an immaculate lawn and landscape around his home. He was a great man and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The community has lost a great man. He will be missed.
Dear Karin and Barbara,
Uncle Joe was such a wonderful man, quiet and unassuming with a delightful sense of humor (I think the humor runs in the Beard side of the family). Some of my fondest memories are of our family visits to Cambridge Springs and I’ll never forget Uncle Joe telling me, “Don’t swim in the cow pond!” As I grew older we had many conversations about our family, he told me great stories about my Dad when they were kids and it helped me better understand so many things. He certainly loved you, Karin and Aunt Gitti and dear Barbara. What a gift his life was to so many. I know he is with the Lord and we will see him again someday. You and Barbara are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Roberta Beard Leyrer
Growing up, I remember Mr Beard as a very intelligent and distinguished friend of my father’s, Tommy Kineston. They worked for many years at the Crawford County Fair together and liked each other very much. He will be missed by many in Crawford County and around the world, but remembered fondly.
Lois Kineston Holabaugh
Karin and Barbara,
What a wonderful, kind man. I have many fond memories of the farm from my youth. Joe will be misssed. I know Joe is with family in heaven. Forever young, forever healthy, forever loved.
Bill, Darlene & Jenny Beard
Joe was a fellow Penn State County Extension Agent who will be greatly missed. I appreciated his friendly. thoughtful approach to problem solving. He taught me much and was a tremendous example of how things should get done. May you be richly blessed at this time.
Lee Miller
Retired Beaver County Extension Director
barbara and karin, we are sending sympathies from Florida. Our Love and prayers .
jo’an and phil Bideaux
Karin and Barbara,
Sending sincere sympathies from Okeechobee Florida. We will miss this wonderful man at St. Paul’s, his quiet gentle matter was always so comforting.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all family members.
Bonnie and Charley Zilhaver and Ida Edge
Please accept my sincerest sympathy in the loss of your father. He was a fine man and I know you will miss him. But rest assured – we will all be together again and I’m sure there were many waiting for him on the other side with love and open arms. Will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Diane
I was a neighbor of Mr. Beard while growing up in Pleasant Hills, the community in which we lived S. of Cambridge Springs. He was a great neighbor!
Remembering a real gentleman and friend. Joe was an outstanding personality and a very caring person. He will be greatly missed.
Our love and prayers are with you all.